Sunday, September 14, 2008

So Easy A Child Can Do It

Now that my older daughter is married and living with her husband, she's having a great time being queen of her own kitchen. She gets to decide what's on the menu, make it herself, and leave out the ingredients she hates (tomatoes). But she does occasionally run into the problem of not having instant access to the recipes for some of my old, favorite, tried and true dinners. I've gotten more than one phone call asking for a recipe with the refrain, "You've really got to put that on your blog, Mom."

Since she asked, I'm going to do a short series of posts that are some of my frequent guest stars on the menu. They might not be exciting, but they're easy, for the most part, and tasty. And really, they're for my kids living away from home. So the rest of you, be patient. The desserts shall return!

I looked for quite a long time for a chili recipe that didn't take days to make, yet was tastier than what comes out of a can. I'm sure this chili wouldn't make it out of the starting gate at any chili cook-off (mainly because your taste buds aren't seared off), but it's my favorite because I can make it in under half an hour and my children will eat it.

Where, you ask, did I find such a treasure? In a Klutz kids cookbook. My younger daughter received it as a gift one year and I've snuck it into my cookbook hoard because this recipe is such a keeper. You can make it with a pound of ground beef instead of the ground turkey; just be sure to drain off the grease well. Also, if you're out of green onions, chop up a half a yellow onion instead.


I had my son put on his chef outfit to show how easy this is to make. He quickly shed the outfit, but did a great job with the helping. His reward was a bowl of chili with cheese on top. He's easy to bribe.

Quick and Easy Chili Con Carne
- adapted from Klutz Kids Cooking

1 small green pepper
3 green onions
1.25 lbs ground turkey
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1 can (15 oz) kidney beans
1 tsp chili powder
3/4 tsp salt

Garnishes:
sour cream
grated cheese
corn ships

1- Chop the green pepper and green onions into small pieces.

2- Break up the hamburger meat into a 2 quart saucepan. Add the chopped onions and green pepper and put the pan onto medium heat.

3- Stir, watching the mixture carefully. When the meat is browned, take the pan off the heat and drain the fat. (I use ground turkey, so there is little fat to drain off. There will be more if you use ground beef.)

4 - Add the kidney beans (with their liquid), the tomato sauce, chili powder, and salt. Stir well and put back over high heat.

5- Cook until the mixture boils, stirring frequently. Then lower the heat to simmer and cook uncovered for another 10 minutes or so. The mixture will thicken as it simmers.

6- Spoon into bowls and top with your choice of garnishes.


Note: This recipe easily doubles in a Dutch oven to serve a crowd. The recipe as written serves 4 to 6.

23 comments:

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Oooh, I'm glad that your daughter provoked you to do this post series!! I'm excited to see more of your "frequent-guest-stars-on-the-menu" recipes :0)

Deborah said...

My favorite kinds of recipes are ones like these - that you've been making and others beg for. You're guaranteed a delicious meal that way!

Aimée said...

I'm going to be a frequent stalker of this series, Lynn! Anyone who can homeschool a pack of children and still put a tasty hot meal on the table must have some great recipes up her sleeve. I love that you do a turkey chili, I've never had anything like that.

LyB said...

Oh, thank you Lynn! I'm going to love this series too! You can never have too many ideas for delicious and easy meals. I've been using a lot of ground chicken and turkey lately and this chili sounds like another wonderful use for it. :)

MyKitchenInHalfCups said...

Looks like only very excited reader's on this one Lynn. These are just the best kinds of recipes. Love that guest stars on the menu!
Your easy to bribe chef is a star as well!

Anonymous said...

yum, i love chili! i'm excited to see the rest of your menu guest star recipes!

Sarah said...

Yeah! It is chili season again! I love easy recipes that taste good too. I am not a huge fan of spicy chili, so this one would be right up my alley. Looking forward to what else you are going to share with us!

Maria said...

I love simple recipes like this one. It would be perfect for game day!

Anonymous said...

Oh, Sam, I love a guy that can cook!
If I ever come to visit you, I will want to try this. I love chili, in almost all it's various forms!
Can I have some cornbread to go with that?

Anonymous said...

This is such a great idea! I wish my mom would do this on her blog too.
I love those photos! Mmmmmm!

Webinsider said...
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SilverMoon Dragon said...

I wish my (very computer illiterate) mother would start a blog so I could convince her to do this... it sure beats have to jot down notes over the phone and having to type them all up myself! ;)

Heather said...

that is one cutie-patootie kiddo! i always call my mom for recipes, too. sometimes, i really do know them, but it's nice to hear her voice ;) i'm sure your daughter feels the same way... no matter how old you get, your mom is still your mom!

Karen Baking Soda said...

Great idea Lynn, I have a post lurking somewhere in the draft compartment with this in mind.

I grant your daughter, although she has the recipe first hand, it will never taste like home. Trust me, I tried with my mom's recipes. There's a pinch of love and care in each dish which she (and we) need to master and make your own first.

grace said...

is it time for chili already? wait a tick, it's always time for chili. :)
what a cute kiddo, and what a terrific recipe.

Lien said...

Great recipe, not having seared off taste buts is my kind of chili! Love your chef, isn't it wonderful to have your kids helping in the kitchen, they love that.

Sean said...

Oh boy, the chili! Adam and I are going to have to try it out. Perhaps sooner rather than later. Thanks!

Dee Light said...

This is the kind of recipe that I can really use. Something kids will eat, and it's not too difficult!! I will be sure to check back for your other recipes.

And what a cute little helper you have!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for putting this one up here mommy. It is my favorite chili by far. It's so easy to make, and tastes just nummy. It's in the perfect time since tonight is chili night for group. Woo!

Snooky doodle said...

your non dessert recipes are welcome. If they re easy for children they re good for me :))

Mandy said...

Lynn, the chilli looks mighty delicious! Thanks to your daughter, we are going to see a series of yummy home cooked food on your blog soon.
Honestly, I hope my mum can put up a series too, so that I can cook them in this home away from home!

Marysol said...

Well, I'd work for a bowl of that chili too, no bribing necessary. Cute chef.

Patricia Scarpin said...

This is a fabulous idea, Lynn - we do need delicious recipes for our daily meals. Tks for sharing!
As for the chili, since it's turkey, I'd eat it gladly!
BTW, do you mind if I "borrowed" your adorable little helper some time? I kind of need extra hands and Joao can't cook. :)